Suriname
April 16th

“Suriname, speaking the truth in love, may you grow to become in every respect!”
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.(Ephesians 4:15,NIV)

▲Reference : CIA

》 Country Profile

Continent | America
Population | 630,000
Area | 163,820㎢ Located on the Atlantic coast of northeastern South America, between Guyana and French Guiana.
Capital City | Paramaribo (240,000 people)
People Groups | Total 24 groups East Indian 30.4%, Creole Surinamese 25.7%, Maroon 21%, Indonesian (mainly Javanese) 13.8%, Mixed race 13.4%, Others 7.6%
People Groups Unreached | 2 (5.3% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Dutch, Sranan Tongan (Creole Dutch)
Total Languages | 21
Bible Translations | Completed 8, New Testament 7, Partial 3
Religion | Christian 46.6% (Protestant 20%, Catholic 19%), Hindu 19.2%, Muslim 17.2%, Ethnic religion 10.3%, Non-religion 5.3% Evangelical 17.1% 100,000 people

》 About Suriname

In 1650, British settlers were the first to arrive in Suriname, followed by the Dutch, Portuguese, and enslaved Africans. In 1667, Suriname became a Dutch colony and was referred to as “Dutch Guiana.” After the abolition of slavery in 1863, workers from India and Java migrated to Suriname. The country gained independence from the Netherlands in 1975 and changed its name to “Suriname.” In 1980, Desi Bouterse led a military coup, establishing a socialist military regime that lasted until 1987. A coalition government, elected democratically, took power in 1991, but the diverse ethnic groups led to inefficiencies within the union. In 2010, Bouterse returned to and remained in power until his departure a decade later. Chan Santokhi has been serving as president since 2020 for a five-year term.

Suriname’s economy is primarily based on mining, with oil and gold exports accounting for about 85% of total exports and approximately 27% of government revenue, making it highly vulnerable to fluctuations in mineral prices. In 2015, a U.S. aluminum company ceased its mining operations after 99 years. Public sector revenues have decreased along with exports, international reserves, employment, and private investment. Due to poverty, many Surinamese rely heavily on remittances from relatives living abroad. Additionally, the lack of clear borders has led to an increase in illegal gold mining and drug trafficking by undocumented immigrants. Suriname’s GDP per capita is approximately $16,100

》 Scripture Focus

Ephesians 4:13-18(NIV)
13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

》 Prayer Points

1. Christianity in Suriname has expanded, with significant growth in the Catholic and Moravian churches and rapid expansion of Pentecostalism and Charismatic movements, now making up over 46% of the population. However, many Christians lack a deep understanding of their faith, and nominal believers are often influenced by traditionalism, syncretism, and spiritism. Fortunately, organizations for both men and women have emerged within the church, promoting godly influence in homes, society, youth ministry, and united prayer. Let us give thanks for the unity across denominations and ministries that enables churches to collaborate on missions, reconciliation, and strategic purposes. Pray that the churches in Suriname may reach unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. May Suriname, through love and truth, grow into the likeness of Christ in all things.

2. Foreign mission organizations are decreasing, but groups like Youth With a Mission (YWAM) and Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) continue to operate with Surinamese missionaries and Christian leaders. These missionaries support churches through discipleship training, leadership development, Bible translation and distribution, and outreach to unreached groups. South American Indigenous churches are sending missionaries domestically and to neighboring countries. World Team previously witnessed mass conversions among the Wayana, Akuriyo, and Trio peoples, though some tribes have returned to traditional practices or secular lifestyles. Pray that churches and mission organizations may unite to nurture believers so that they will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming, but remain firm in faith.

3. The largest community, the Hindustani, is being reached through cooperation between the Hindustani Christian Fellowship (SKS) and World Team, who share the gospel for salvation from Hinduism. For the Muslim Javanese, the Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA) and the International Mission Board (IMB) are working to plant churches, while Javanese Christian youth actively evangelize their own communities. Groups like the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (JSSM.IFFS), Campus Crusade for Christ (CCCI), and Crossroads are sharing the gospel and discipling students across three universities and eight high schools. Pray that missionaries and ministry leaders may work together, supporting one another to share the gospel with unreached people groups and the next generation. Pray that these ministries grow and build one another up in love as they disciple future believers.

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